What happens when the life you thought you were living… suddenly changes?In this episode, we’re talking about grief, healing, and what it really means to rebuild a life after losing the person you thought you would grow old with.Today’s guest, Christy Kovel, was widowed at 46 after a 20-year marriage. In this honest and deeply human conversation, she shares what it was like to navigate the early fog of grief, learn to live alone, and begin redefining who she was without the role that had shaped so much of her life.We talk about the parts of grief people don’t always see… the loneliness, the identity shift, and the quiet work of moving forward. We also talk about something many people struggle with but don’t say out loud… the guilt that can come when joy starts to return.This is a conversation about loss, but it’s also about resilience, community, and the courage it takes to build a life again… even when it looks nothing like the one you planned.If you or someone you love is navigating grief, this episode will meet you with honesty, compassion, and hope.------Don't Be a Miserable Cow shares practical tools and deeply personal insights that empower people to take control and improve their lives with intentionality and presence. Lisa and her guests explore captivating topics like gratitude, boundaries, self-care, relationships, persistence, and finding joy in everyday life, all through the power of choice, by choosing peace and joy again and again.Subscribe so you never miss a conversation like this.http://joywithlisa.comhttps://www.instagram.com/find_joy_no_regretshttps://www.facebook.com/share/1Ha53wjaKc/

In this episode, I’m joined by Julie Rancourt for a conversation about persistence, self-talk, and what it really looks like to stay committed to something meaningful over time.Julie shares her journey of running all 169 towns in Connecticut, and how what started as a goal turned into something much deeper. Along the way, she found unexpected joy, built lifelong friendships, and developed the kind of mindset that helps you keep going—even when motivation fades.We talk about the power of community, the role of inner dialogue, and how shared struggle can create connection in the most beautiful ways.Julie is one of those people who truly loves others—you feel it immediately. She has the kind of warmth that makes people feel seen, and a curiosity that reminds us everyone has a story worth hearing.If you’ve ever been in the middle of something that felt long, hard, or uncertain… this conversation will remind you why staying in it matters.------Don't Be a Miserable Cow shares practical tools and deeply personal insights that empower people to take control and improve their lives with intentionality and presence. Lisa and her guests explore captivating topics like gratitude, boundaries, self-care, relationships, persistence, and finding joy in everyday life, all through the power of choice, by choosing peace and joy again and again.Subscribe so you never miss a conversation like this.http://joywithlisa.comhttps://www.instagram.com/find_joy_no_regretshttps://www.facebook.com/share/1Ha53wjaKc/

Lisa Marshall sits down with her daughter Sarah Brehant for a deeply personal conversation about presence, intuition, and the quiet power of showing up. Together, they remember Peter—husband, stepdad, gentleman—and how Alzheimer's slowly changed him while never dimming the love between them. What unfolds is a tender story about a single decision on a December night that transformed a moment of loss into one of grace, connection, and shared peace.

------

Sarah Brehant is a luxury wedding designer who brings creativity, care, and intention to everything she does. She's also Lisa's daughter and someone who showed up in one of life's most meaningful moments with the kind of quiet courage that speaks louder than words.

https://sarahbrehantevents.com/

https://www.instagram.com/sarahbrehantevents

https://www.tiktok.com/@sarahbrehantevents

------

Don't Be a Miserable Cow shares practical tools and deeply personal insights that empower people to take control and improve their lives with intentionality and presence. Lisa and her guests explore captivating topics like gratitude, boundaries, self-care, relationships, persistence, and finding joy in everyday life, all through the power of choice, by choosing peace and joy again and again.

Subscribe so you never miss a conversation like this.

http://joywithlisa.com

https://www.instagram.com/find_joy_no_regrets

https://www.facebook.com/share/1Ha53wjaKc/

http://ohhelloalz.com

https://www.instagram.com/ohhelloalzheimers/

https://www.facebook.com/OhHelloAlzheimers

What makes a friendship last? In this episode, Lisa Marshall and her longtime friend Vicki Langone have an honest conversation about boundaries, accountability, mutual effort, and the hard lessons that can actually strengthen a relationship. It’s a warm, real discussion about showing up on purpose and building friendships that can grow through change.

------

Vicki Langone has spent much of her life in work centered on care and healing, from massage therapy and cosmetology to co-running a chiropractic wellness clinic with her husband for 20 years. She’s thoughtful, grounded, and deeply values honest communication, healthy boundaries, and meaningful connection.

------

Don't Be a Miserable Cow shares practical tools and deeply personal insights that empower people to take control and improve their lives with intentionality and presence. Lisa and her guests explore captivating topics like gratitude, boundaries, self-care, relationships, persistence, and finding joy in everyday life, all through the power of choice, by choosing peace and joy again and again.

http://joywithlisa.com

Lisa Marshall talks with boudoir and wedding photographer Jules Ehlert about body acceptance, confidence, and the power of kinder self-talk. They dive into how boudoir photography can help women reconnect with their beauty, sensuality, and self-worth—without waiting to “fix” anything first. It’s an uplifting conversation about self-love, grace, and learning to see yourself with compassion.

------

My guest, Jules Ehlert is a boudoir and wedding photographer who helps women see themselves with more confidence, compassion, and joy. Through her work behind the camera, she creates empowering experiences that encourage self-acceptance, celebrate beauty at every stage, and remind women of their worth exactly as they are.

@officiallythatjules

------

Don't Be a Miserable Cow shares practical tools and deeply personal insights that empower people to take control and improve their lives with intentionality and presence. Lisa and her guests explore captivating topics like gratitude, boundaries, self-care, relationships, persistence, and finding joy in everyday life, all through the power of choice, by choosing peace and joy again and again.

http://joywithlisa.com

Don't Be a Miserable Cow shares practical tools and deeply personal insights that empower people to take control and improve their lives with intentionality and presence. Lisa and her guests explore captivating topics like gratitude, boundaries, self-care, relationships, persistence, and finding joy in everyday life, all through the power of choice, by choosing peace and joy again and again.http://joywithlisa.com